Suitability of Nicotiana tabacum 'Bel W3' for biomonitoring ozone in São Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract

Nicotiana tabacum 'Bel W3' is a widely used sensitive bioindicator for ambient ozone, but it is rarely used in tropical countries. Our goal was to determine the suitability of this plant for biomonitoring ozone in the city of São Paulo by evaluating the relationships between leaf necroses and ozone under field conditions and measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence and antioxidants in plants exposed to different concentrations of ozone in closed chambers. While a weak linear relationship between leaf injury and ozone concentrations (R(2)=0.10) was determined in the field, a strong linear relationship was observed in the chamber experiments. Maximum leaf injury was observed in plants submitted to 40 ppb, which coincided with a significant decrease in fluorescence and total ascorbic acid. The relationship between leaf damage observed in the field and ozone was improved when the concentrations were limited to 40 ppb (R(2)=0.28).

• Authors: Silvia M R Sant'Anna, Marisia P Esposito, Marisa Domingos, Silvia R Souza
• Journal: Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) (Environ Pollut) Vol. 151 Issue 2 Pg. 389-94 (Jan 2008) ISSN: 0269-7491 [Print] England
• PMID: 17664031 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants
• Chlorophyll
• Ozone
• Ascorbic Acid

Topics

• Air Pollutants (analysis, toxicity)
• Ascorbic Acid (analysis)
• Brazil
• Chlorophyll (analysis)
• Cities
• Environmental Monitoring (methods)
• Ozone (analysis, toxicity)
• Plant Leaves (drug effects)
• Seasons
• Species Specificity
• Nicotiana (drug effects)